Learning to live with your heart on your sleeve is uncomfortable. It involves taking off our armor, which has kept our heart hidden from the world. It's sort of unnerving for your emotions to be so close to the surface when you've spent so much of your life trying to keep them hidden away. For me anyways, emotions on either side of the spectrum feel more intense and raw because I spent so many years trying to dampen them.
As I take off each piece of armor or tame my thick skin, I try to confront my fears by remembering when I saw others act vulnerably and let their heart shine. When I think of the times that I have admired friends and family members the most, it has been when they opened up and showed their most authentic self. I was proud of them because I knew it wasn't easy, but they stepped into it anyways. I was envious of them because I struggle a lot with doing this myself.
It is these brave acts that give me the courage to piece by piece put the armor down and just be. I'm inspired when I see people choose vulnerability and connection over certainty and fear. To be our imperfect selves and know we are worthy of our lives, dreams and love.
Being a Force for Good 